260 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



instead of throwing up one huge spike, which is exactly what we 

 want of them, they sometimes produce half-a-dozen medium spikes, 

 and are then magnificent for decorative purposes, though not 

 adapted for competitive exhibition. In selecting these extra large 

 bulbs, I always prefer those with a distinct central neatly-finished 

 point (or crown) to those tbat are rough or showing the slightest 

 tendency to divide vertically. When the whole bulb has but one 

 set of scales, and these come to a nice finish at the growing point, 

 they usually produce only one spike, and of course that is a monster 

 and counts for one to show. 



But very fine exhibition spikes may be grown without extra 

 sized bulbs. Some good sorts never make large bulbs, and some 

 never make handsome bulbs. I advise the grower who does not 

 mind paying a little extra, to give the dealer notice of his desire for 

 picked samples for exhibition, and at some advance on the average 

 rate. Grand specimens may be obtained such as are never parted 

 with at catalogue prices. This fact is not generally known, and 

 exhibitors do not care to have it known too widely, because of the 

 monopoly they enjoy of these "first selected" samples on the arrival 

 of the bulbs from Holland. 



Now let me endeavour to indicate how to select bulbs for your- 

 •self. Size and shape are not all-important. Gret large bulbs if you 

 •can ; get them with one distinct and nicely-finished crown ; but 

 . above all things be sure of this — that they are lieavy. I weighed a 

 lot of Koh-i-noor and Solfaterre bulbs last year, and made notes of 

 them when in bloom. The heaviest gave the finest spikes and the 

 richest colours. All the light ones were poor spikes, and some of 

 them were quite washy in colour. I never knew Milton or Howard 

 to come fine from any but heavy bulbs, and indeed, the rule holds 

 good throughout, but applies especially to high-priced sorts, because 

 these the growers do their utmost to increase, and of necessity hard 

 propagating results in the production of samples not quite up to 

 -the mark, for the prices they realize tempt the growers to send as 

 many into the market as ZooA'fit for the purpose. Size and shape are 

 not unimportant characters, but weiglit is the final and decisive test. 



As to the growing of them. I have taken the highest prizes in 

 : spirited competitions with the bulbs potted as late as Christmas. 

 Late potting, therefore, is not of necessity fatal to success. One 

 thing is certain, if the bulbs are to be potted late,. they must be pre- 

 served from contact with the atmosphere. Put them away in dry 

 • chaff", or any such preservative : the husky stuff" they are packed in 

 by the Dutch keeps them well ; but whenever I have had to pack a 

 ■large lot away in a fresh store, I have used grass seeds, which, of 

 <?ourse, were just as good, after they had served this purpose, as 

 before. Still, though keeping them out of the ground till the end 

 of the year does not of necessity ruin them, I prefer to 'p^ant early, 

 reserving a few to plant late, so as to secure a succession of flowers. 



Private growers are not generally aware that the proper stuff" to 

 use in potting hyacinths for exhibition is a mixture consisting of one 

 half fat dung, and the other half good turfy loam, with a large 

 admixture of sharp sand. The sweepings or scrapings of a much- 



